International Forum Speaker:
United Nations' Alicia Bárcena Ibarra
Washington, DC (October 10, 2007) – United Nations Under-Secretary-General Alicia Bárcena Ibarra will open the inaugural Greenbuild International Forum during the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual conference in Chicago. The 2007 Greenbuild International Forum, organized by the World Green Building Council, the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE), and USGBC will be held on Tuesday, November 6 from 10 AM – 5 PM and will feature interactive sessions with global leaders in green building and sustainable development.
“This forum is the first of its kind for Greenbuild,” said Kevin Hydes, President, World Green Building Council. “Greenbuild is bringing together people from all over the world to share best practices and create new opportunities for international cooperation. The opportunity to hear from UN Under-Secretary-General for Management Alicia Bárcena Ibarra will be, for many, a once in a lifetime experience.”
Ms. Bárcena, a native of Mexico, previously served as Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) where she actively promoted the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals in Latin America and the Caribbean. As the Chief of the Environment and Human Settlements Division of ECLAC, she focused on public policies for sustainable development with particular reference to the linkages between environment, economy and social issues.
The International Forum is a chance to connect with professionals from all over the world and identify new partners and resources. Climate change and market transformation will be key focal points of the day along with a chance to hear success stories from around the globe. The International Forum registration fee is only $50. Additional information about the International Forum program is available online at http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/Events/intl_forum.html. To register for the International Forum or add it to a completed Greenbuild conference registration, visit www.greenbuildexpo.org.
About iiSBC
iiSBE is an international non-profit organization, founded in 2000, whose overall aim is to accelerate the movement towards a global sustainable built environment. iiSBE has individual and corporate members from the research and professional community, and helps specialists and generalists to be knowledgeable about the latest knowledge in the field. IiSBE is the lead co-sponsor of the international SB conference series, the last of which was held in Tokyo in 2005. As a lead-up to the next global event in Melbourne in 2008, we are sponsoring a series of 12 regional SB conferences this year. iiSBE also manages the international Sustainable Building Challenge (SBC) process, which will present more than 75 high-performance projects at Melbourne.
About World Green Building Council
With its mission to accelerate the transformation of the global property industry towards sustainability, World Green Building Council is a union of national councils which represent 50% of global construction activity and touch more than fifteen thousand companies and organizations.
The WorldGBC provides an international forum, and champions proven tools that significantly accelerate market transformation from traditional, inefficient building practices to new generation high-performance buildings, provide “branding”, and transform the skills and knowledge of the industry as a whole. This is a critical response strategy for cities and countries worldwide to their national and international commitments to reduce carbon emissions and redress other environmental impacts.
World GBC provides leadership and a global forum that supports the effort in standardized global information on building performance, while supporting its members to accelerate the development of emerging councils and rating systems, by providing organizational tools, advocacy, facilitation, information, a non-partisan forum, and other valuable resources that help people take highly effective action locally. For more information: www.worldgbc.org
About U.S. Green Building Council
USGBC is a community of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated. USGBC envisions an environmentally responsible, healthy, and prosperous built environment that improves the quality of life. Founded in 1993, the Council now comprises more than 11,500 member organizations representing every sector of the building industry and a network of over 70 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups. USGBC offers a broad portfolio of LEED® green building programs and services; professional education workshops; and the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. For more information: www.usgbc.org.
About Greenbuild
Greenbuild is the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. This November, more than 18,000 building professionals from all over the world will come together for three days of outstanding educational sessions, renowned speakers, green building tours, special seminars, networking events, and the biggest exhibit hall in Greenbuild history. The Conference will be held the week of November 5, 2007. For more information: www.greenbuildexpo.org.
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